Loud and Proud- Equality Club

Diversity begins with Paso High’s Equality club. They talk about equality for LGBTQ+ , and they discuss about equality for all. Marcy Goodnow, the advisor of the club, is a very “down to earth”, understanding teacher who believes everyone should have someone to be brave for. For her it is those who are in the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer, plus others who do not identify as heterosexual. People of this community are very often misunderstood, judged, and neglected for who they are. Mrs. Goodnow believes in having a voice for them.
Mrs. Goodnow wasn’t originally the advisor of equality club, but since Mr. Gwiazda had chess club on his hands already, Goodnow graciously helped him out. Goodnow believes that it’s important for someone to be brave for kids who don’t feel safe enough to embrace who they are, their sexuality, or gender. The club was given the donation of “love is love” shirts for the club to sell and get exposure.

“It’s important that someone is brave for kids who are afraid to “come out” to the world, their parents or anyone. They’re afraid to be judged, so equality club is for us to speak up for those kids.”

The students in the club were very engaged into the meeting that I attended to see what Equality club is about. The club meets every Tuesday in Goodnow’s classroom, 505. It is important to have a voice for people who feel they are restricted from having one. Which I believe could be very comforting to those who want to embrace who they are, but are just not ready to share something that is actually part of them. There are kids in this world, people in this world that feel neglected because of who they are, who they love. Being told that they shouldn’t love someone because they are the same sex as them is not acceptable.

“Equality club is important for exposure, it’s important to be visible for those who can’t be in fear of being judged for who they are”
In a student’s eyes, it is important that this high school has a club like this on campus. This student entered the club because they feel it is a safe place for those who are “different”.
“This club is important because it is a safe place for people who are queer, gay, lesbian, and transgender.”

The president of the club comes up with the ideas, such as having the club meet outside and have people participate in activities that they hold, and earn a prize that has to do with LGBT, of course the club has to agree or deny.

All the students in the club were all participating, seemed very engaged and all were very opinionated. They discussed about having a meeting outside giving out rainbow heart stickers, which I find very cool that they give things out like that to the people in the school. It is a very accepting club to be in. No judging allowed there.

Joshua Gwaizda was the original advisor of Equality club, but had too many things going on around that time, so Goodnow helped him out with Equality club and became the new advisor.

Equality club hopes to have more exposure than they do now, and hope to help kids have a voice that is loud, and proud.

“The library’s month-long celebration demonstrates how Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans have strengthened our country, by using their talent and creativity to help create awareness and goodwill.”- Library Of Congress